Attaching means



Feb. 9, 1937. I A, FLOOD 2,0695% .ATTACHING MEANS Filed May '7, 1935" Patented Feb. 9, 1937 ATTACHING MEANS Carl A. Flood, Framingham, Mass., 'assignor to Dennison Manufacturing Company, Framingham, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application May 7, 1935, Serial No. 20,137

15 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for passing a strand through material and to a corresponding method such as may be practiced by employment of the device.

The present invention may be particularly employed in attaching a tag to an article such as an article of wearing apparel or a sheet of fabric, and is particularly adapted to use with fastening devices such as disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 723,170, filed April 30, 1934, in which I have disclosed an attaching device which comprises a generally tubular retainer in which the oppositely extending end portions of a string loop are received, the adjoining portions of the string normally tending to extend at right angles from the intermediate part of the retainer, and providing a string loop which may extend through an opening in a suitable tag, such as a price tag. My copending application Serial No. 723,171, filed April 30, 1934 disclosed a needle for securing such fastening devices to a sheet article or the like. The present invention provides an improved device for this purpose. This invention affords an arrangement which facilitates the handling of the relatively small attaching bar and its convenient movement into proper engagement with the attaching device. Furthermore, the present invention permits the convenient movement of the retaining bar along the attaching apparatus after the same has been properly positioned in relation to the article with which the retaining bar is to be associated. For this purpose I may provide a hollow needle whichis connected to a frame upon which a slidable plunger is mounted to move into a bore in the needle, the guiding or feeding means being arranged so that the retaining bar may readily be positioned in alignment with the outer end of the bore of the needle, whereuponthe plunger may be advanced to push the bar along the bore of the needle. A suitable opening is provided near or at the point of the needle so that the bar may be ejected when it reaches this portion of the bore. In order to permit an attaching device, including a bar and string, to be inserted by apparatus of the class described, a longitudinal slot is provided in the needle to communicate with the bore. Thus, while the bar is being moved through the bore of the needle, the string extending from the bar may extend through the slot and may move along the same until itengages the sheet material through which the needle has been inserted. Thereupon the bar may continue its movement to the region of ejectment adjoining the point of the needle, while the string extends along the needle to the point where it intersects the plane of the sheet material. When the bar is ejected, for example upon the inner side of the fabric, itmay be effective in holding the end of the string loop in place, while the string extends through the opening in the sheet material which was formed by the needle. Thus, in a typical example of the use of this invention, the retaining bar may be moved through the fabric sheet material so that it may engage one face thereof, the stringsextending from the bar extending through an opening in the material to provide a loop supporting atag,

such as a price tag, upon the opposite side'of the fabric.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the needle may be arranged so that it'may be retracted into a hollow frame or handle when the device is not in use. The plunger may be oper ated by an actuating element or a thumb piece which ,is normally slidable along a slot provided by the handle. In the accompanyingdrawing: M Fig. 1 is a plan viewof a-device constructedin accordance with this invention; i Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same certain parts being broken away and shown in section; and certain parts being shown in their retracted; positions by dotted lines; v 1 Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the device shown in Fig.1; 7 w

Figs. 4 and 5 are sections indicated bylines 44 and 55, respectively, of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a section on line 6- -6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. '7 is-a side elevation of a portion of the vice inuse parts being removed andshow n in;

section, and a sheet article being indicatedv in dot and dash lines;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section of tion of the device; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view showing a fasten ing' device which has been applied to a sheet article by apparatus of the type disclosed herein; Fig. 10 is an isometric View of a portion of such a fastening device; and v i Fig. 11 is a sectional detail showing an optional. form of needle. i Q The accompanying drawing illustrates 'a typical, preferred embodiment of my invention and shows the needleiporahollow needle I the end of which'is, beveled as, V

designated by numeral 2.v The needle is provided;

with a cylindrical bore 3 which has an open end} at the beveled or pointed end of the needle and'an:

opposite generally cylindrical end! of enlargedj diameter, in which a plunger 4 which. is infthe;

form of a straight wire may move. The needle" also provided'with a longitudinal slot 5. The blunt as rivets or screws.

end of the needle is clamped between a guide plate 6, which is provided with a flared upper flange 1, and guide blocks 8 and 9 which are connected tothe plate 6 by fastening means H] such 7 The plate 6 and the blocks 8 and 9 define a recess II to receive the tubular bar of the attaching device. The adjoining edges of the blocks'B and Bare spaced to define a. vertical slot l2 shownparticularly in Fig. 2. The needle provides an opening I4 which connects the slot l2 H and the slot 5 as shown in Fig. 3. Thus when" a bar is inserted into the recess the string connected to the bar may pass through the slot l2' and through'the slot M, the latter communicating with the slot 5 of the needle. The plunger d-is recipro: cable in the bore 3, being retractible to a position wherein its end is spaced from opening H, as 3 flanged over to provide longitudinalflanges 26, as

shown in Figs. 1 and 5. The flanges 26rest upon the inturned flanges 21 of an outer handle member 28 which has a lower portion which is generally semi-cylindrical in cross section, as shown in Fig. 5, and has parallel side walls; The end of the handle portion remote from the needle may be provided with an end wall 29. I An: opening is provided in the opposite end of the handle member 28 to receive a stud 30 mounted on the end of a leaf spring 3 I, the opposite end of this spring being extended upwardly to hook about the end wall 22 of the frame 2|, as

designated by numeral 33. are in the normal operative position shown, for example, in Fig. 2, the spring 3| is effective in holding the needle in its advancedposition rela- 1 tive to the handle 28.. However, when the device is not in use, the projecting end 3 l of the spring may be pressed upwardly to remove the stud 30 from the opening in the handle so that the entire assembly may be slid to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2, to occupy the retracted position shown in Fig. 2. When it is desired to return the needle assembly to the normal operative position it may be movedtoward this position by taking hold of the flange I and sliding the assembly to the left until the stud 30 snaps into engagement with the opening'in the handle.

The plunger ,4 is provided with an actuating element 40 in the form of a thumb piece having'an upper portion resting upon the flanges 26 of the frame 2| and having. depending portions in the form of twoears 43." Openings are provided in these ears through'which'the plunger 4 extends, the end of the plunger being bent about the portion of the car which is remote from the needle;

I thus this portion of the plunger provides a generally hooked wire section designated by numeral properposition attachingdevices such as disclosed in my copending applicationserialj'No. 723,170.

' Suchja deviceis shown inFigQlO and includes'a" generally tubular retaining bar B in the end portime of which the opposite ends of a strand or a, Apparatusof the character which has been described may be usedewithparticular. facility in Thus when the parts I string S are secured. Strandportions extend from the intermediate part of the tubular bar and commonly provide a loop in engagement with a price tag Tor the like, Fig. 9. r 7

When apparatus of the character described is to be employed in inserting such a retaining bar through a fabric sheet or the like, the handle 28 of the device maybe grasped bythe operator and the point of the needle I inserted through the sheet article A in the position illustrated in Fig.

7. The member 40 is retracted so the hook porof the plunger engages wall 22 as a stop. A

bar B may then be engaged with the feeding and guiding portion of the device, for example the bar may first be conveniently pressed against the flange land the string S be initially disposed in the upper part of. the slot l2; thereupon the bar maybe moved downwardly into the recess ll adjoining the end ofthe needle, the string S being pulled to aid this movement until :it hangs downwardly in registration with the end of slot 5, Fig. 2. Thereupon the actuator 40 may be slid toward the needle to cause the end of plunger 4 to engage the bar B, moving the latter into and along the bore 3 of the needle. As this movement continues, the string S may move along the slot 5 'of the needle, and, when the mid-portion of the bar B moves beyond the plane of the sheet article A, the string S engages the s edge of the opening in the sheet material. As

this movement is continued, the bar is ejected from the beveled end of the needle and the string 7 passes through the slot 5 and out of engagement with the needle. Thereupon the needle may be withdrawn from theysheet article leaving the bar B in the position shown in Fig. 9 wherein the string S extends through the o-peningthat was formed by the needle and the tag T is disposed at the opposite face of the sheet article. Thus the retaining bar is positioned to prevent its movementthrough the fabric and the string loop is firmly anchored to the sheet article.

Fig. 11 illustrates an optional type of needle which may be employed with apparatus having the general construction which has been described. When such a needle is employed, a.

plunger I04, similar to the plunger 4, may be provided to reciprocate in the needle Hil which has a solid point with its boreterminatingadjoining the point. This bore is provided with a longitudinal slot, similar to the slot 5, but the end portion of the slot is enlarged to providean openingl05 through which a bar B may be ejected. 'To aid in this movementof thebar, the endof, the bore is provided with-a curved cam-like surface I06.

It is evident that this typ of needle may be arranged and employed in the general manner described Withreference to the embodiment of I I the invention illustrated'inlFigs. 1 to 8 inclusive. The type of needle shown in Fig. 11 is advantageous, since thegradually tapered solid point is particularly effective in penetrating fabric or the like. without tending to tear the same.

It is' evident that apparatus of this character may be employed in awide variety of environ secure a strand to a sheet article. For example, the present invention may conveniently be employed for securing a tag to a portion of a linments where it is desired to be able quickly to V ingof a garment or articleof wearing apparel suchas the lining of ahat, it being evident that the retainingbar may beinserted through the V lining without necessity for access tothe inner] surface of thesame. Thusa price tag may conveniently be secured, for example, to the lining of a hat being held in place in this manner until the hat is to be worn, whereupon: the string sections may be cut to permit the removalof the tag. It is evident that the present invention is particularly effective in facilitating the connection of attaching devices including retaining bars to sheet articles without necessity. for particularly fine and accurate operations, such as are required when, for example, individual bars have to be manually inserted in small recesses in needles. The bar, although it is small, may readily be engaged with the guide portion of the apparatus, and due to the flared shape of the upper portion of recess I, may readily be moved downwardly into the position shown in Fig. 2, the string S being movable into registration with the end of the slot 5. When the bar and string are once positioned, as shown in Fig. 2, the plunger then may be almost instantaneously advanced to move the bar through the plane of the sheet article, whereupon the needle may be withdrawn leaving the bar in the desired position.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising a needle having a longitudinal bore,.a plunger, means to reciprocate the plunger along the needle, said needle having on one side a longitudinal slot to receive a flexible element depending from a fastening bar disposed within the bore, whereby the plunger may advance the bar through the bore, and said needle having on another side an opening for inserting a fastening bar in said bore.

2. A device of the class described comprising a needle having a point and a longitudinal bore extending from the opposite end of the needle to a region near the point, the wall of the bore providing a slot and a communicating opening in the region of the point, and a plunger movable in the bore, whereby a fastening device including a bar and a string extending therefrom may be disposed with the bar in the bore and the string in the slot, and the plunger may be advanced to push the bar while the string moves along the slot, the bar being ejected when it reaches said opening, said wall having an opening circumferentially offset from said slot through which bars may be fed to said bore.

3. A device of the class described comprising a needle having a point and a longitudinal bore extending from the opposite end of the needle to a region near the point, the wall of the bore pro viding a slot and a communicating opening in the region of the point, and a plunger movable in the bore, and a feeding guide secured to the end of the needle remote from its point, said guide having a recess communicating with the end of the bore and a slot communicating with the slot of the needle, whereby a fastening device consisting of a bar and string may be disposed with the bar in the recess and the string in the last-named slot and the plunger may be advanced to push the bar through the bore and opening while the string moves along said firstnamed slot.

4. A device of the class described comprising a tubular needle portion having a longitudinal bore and a beveled end to provide a point, said beveled end having an opening therein, the bore extending to said opening, a plunger, means'to reciprocate the plunger into and along the bore of the needle, said needle having a longitudirialslot to receive a flexible element dependingfrom a fas-.

tening-bar disposed within the bore and being may advance the bar through the bore.

5. A device of the class describedcomprising a tubular needle having a longitudinal. bore and a beveled end to provide a point, the bore extending to an opening at the beveled end of the needle,

a plunger, means to reciprocate the plunger into propelled by the plunger, whereby the plunger the needle, whereby the bar may be located in the l recess and the string attached to the barmay be moved into the slot of the needle. e

6. A device of the class described comprising a tubular needle having a longitudinal bore and a point, the bore extending to an opening near the point of the needle, a plunger, means to reciprocate the plunger into and along the bore of the needle, said needle having a longitudinal slot to receive a flexible element depending from a fas-" tening bar disposed within the bore and being propelled by the plunger whereby the plunger may advance the bar through the bore, a guide to facilitate movement of the bar'into the needle, said device providing a recess to receive a bar in alignment with the bore of theneedle, the guide having a slot extending along its side and communicating with the slot of the needle, and a flared flange upon the opposite side of the guide to facilitate the movement of a bar into the recess.

7. A device of the class described comprising a tubular needle having a longitudinal bore anda point, the bore extending to an opening near the point of the needle, a plunger, means to reciprocate the plunger into and along the bore of the needle, said needle having a longitudinal slot to receive a flexible element depending from a fastening bar disposed within the boreand being.

propelled by the plunger whereby the plunger may advance the bar through the bore, a guide to facilitate movement of the bar into the needle, said guide providing'a recess to receive a barand having a slot extending along its side and communicating with the slot of the needle, whereby the bar may be located in the recess and the string attached to the bar may be moved into the slot of the needle, a handle means connected to the guide, .and an actuator secured to the plunger and movable along a slot in said handle means.

8. A device of the class described comprising a tubular needle having a longitudinal bore and a point, the bore extending to an opening near the point of the needle, a plunger, means to reciprocate the plunger into and along the bore of the needle, said needle having a longitudinal slot to receive a flexible element depending from a fastening bar disposed within the bore and being propelled by the plunger whereby the plunger may advance the bar through the bore, a guide to facilitate movement of the bar into the needle, said guide providing a recess to receive a bar and having a slot extending along its'side and comtubular needle having a longitudinal bore and a.

municating with theslot of the needle, whereby the bar may be; located in the recess and the string attached to the bar may be moved into the slot of the needle, a frame connected to the guide, an actuator secured to the plunger and slidable along the frame, and a hollow-handle in which the frame is supported.

9. A device-of the class described comprising a point, the bore extending to an opening near the point of the needle, a plunger, means to reciprocate the plunger into and along. the bore of the needle, said needle having a longitudinal slot to receive a flexible element depending froma fastening bar disposed within the bore and being p-ropelled by the plunger whereby the'plunger'may advance the'bar through the bore,.. a guide to facilitate movement of the bar into the needle, said guide providing a recess to receive a bar and having a slot extending along its side and communieating with the slot of the needle, whereby the bar may be located in the recess and the string attached to the bar may be moved into the slot of. the needle, a frame connected to the guide, an

actuator secured to the plunger and slidable along the frame, and a hollow handle in which the frame is supported, said frame being slidable into said handle to permit the needle to be moved to a retracted position'within the handle.

10. A device of the class described comprisin a tubular needle having a longitudinal bore and a beveled end-to provide a point, the bore extending to an opening atthe beveled end of the needle, a plunger; means to reciprocate the plunger into and along the bore of the needle, said needle having a longitudinal slot to receive a flexible element depending from a fastening'bar disposed within the bore and being propelled by the plunger whereby the plunger may advance the bar through the bore, a guide to facilitate movement of the bar into the needle, said guide providing a recess to receive a bar and having a slot extending along its side and communicating with the slot of the needle, a frame connected to the guide, an actuator secured to'the plunger and slidablealong the frame, a hollow handle in which the frame is supported, said frame being slidable into'said handleto permit the needle to 'be moved to a restracted position within the from said slot, whereby'a fastening-device includalong the slot, thelbar being ejected ing a bar and a string extending therefrom may string in the slot, and the plunger may then be, advanced to push theibarwhile' the string moves when it reaches said opening.

12.-'A device of the class described comprising a needle-having a solid point and a longitudinal bore extending from theopposite end of the needle to a region near the point, the'wall of the bore providing a slot and an openingcommunicating with the slot in' the region of the needle point, the end of thebore adjoining said opening having a curved cam-like surface, and a plunger movable into the bore, sai-d wall having an opening circumferentially. offset from said slot, whereby a fastening device, including a bar anda string extending therefrom, may be disposed with the bar in the bore and the string in the slot, and the plunger may then be advanced to push the bar while the string moves along the slot, the bar being ejected when it reachessaid opening and engages said cam-like surface.

13. A device for inserting a headed .strand through material, comprising a needle and having a hollow bore with an exit near the point of the needle and a longitudinal slot through the wall of said bore, said wall having another opening circumferentially offset from said slot and a circumferential slot interconnecting said opening with said longitudinal slot, whereby the headed strand may be inserted through said opening into said bore and the strand passed along said circumferential slot to said longitudinal slot, and a plunger in said bore for then propelling the headed strand along said bore and thence through said exit. 7

14. Adevice for inserting a headed strand through material, comprising a needle and having a hollow bore with an exit at one end near the point of the needle and an inletat the other end and a slot through the wall of said bore from said inlet to said exit, said' inlet being wider than theslot so thatthe head of the strand may be inserted throughfthe inlet into and thence along said bore with the strand passing along said slot, and a plunger in said bore forv propelling ,said head along said bore andthence through said exit.

15. A device of the 'classdes'cribed comprising alneedle for piercing fabric'and the like and an enlarged head in the rear of the needle, said head V and needle having aligned bores with an inlet and an outlet respectively communicating with said bores for inserting and ejecting a headed strand, and a plunger reciprocatable in said bore, whereby the needle may be inserted through tab-- ric or the'like until the fabric abuts said head and the headed strand may then be passed through the fabric by advancing said plunger.

CARL A. FLOOD. 

